New York – The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) convened ministers, senior government officials, development finance institutions, sovereign investors, and private sector leaders on the margins of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly to advance their new joint initiative for regional connectivity for energy and trade.  

Building on the momentum generated at the GCC-UNDP inception regional roundtable, held in Riyadh in June 2026, the dialogue focused on prerequisites and means to translate regional cooperation into a pipeline of investable cross-border opportunities capable of strengthening resilience, mobilizing capital, and deepening economic alignment and coordination between the Arab States and neighboring regions. 

The dialogue brought together ministers and senior government officials from GCC member states, other Arab States and Türkiye, as well as representatives of regional and international organizations, development finance institutions, sovereign wealth funds, and the private sector.  

“The experience of the GCC demonstrates that regional connectivity delivers lasting value when it is anchored in political commitment, supported by effective institutional coordination, and translated into practical projects that respond to national priorities” said Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg, GCC Assistant Secretary-General. “Together with UNDP and our regional and international partners, we will work together to build on existing initiatives, identify priority cross-border opportunities, and mobilize the expertise and partnerships required to take them forward. Our objective is to ensure that this close partnership delivers tangible economic and development benefits for our peoples and contributes to the resilience, stability, and shared prosperity of the wider region”. 

The European Union was also represented by H.E. Ms. Dubravka Šuica, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, European Commission who delivered a keynote address highlighting the importance of stronger cross-regional cooperation and connectivity. Discussions noted that the dialogue was taking place against a backdrop of shifting global trade and investment patterns, increasing demand for resilient supply chains, and a growing realization of the importance of regional cooperation in addressing shared economic and development challenges. Participants discussed priority opportunities across energy systems, trade and transport corridors, digital connectivity, food systems, and resilient value chains, as well as the partnerships and financing mechanisms needed to move from policy dialogue to implementation. Discussions focused on how governments, development finance institutions, sovereign investors, and private sector actors can work together to prepare, finance, and scale cross-border initiatives that generate regional public goods while supporting national development priorities. 

"Current military escalations in the Middle East again underscore the unique position of the Arab States region as it sits at the intersection of some of the world's most important trade and energy corridors: stressed Abdallah Al Dardari, UN Assistant Secretary-General, and Director of UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Arab States. “Informed alignment and strengthened connectivity of the region with neighbouring regions and globally is an imperative. It will translate into concrete opportunities that generate jobs, attract investment, and strengthen resilience." 

Jointly led by the GCC and UNDP, the initiative aims to help countries translate shared regional ambitions into investment-ready opportunities through policy coordination, institutional cooperation, project preparation, partnership development, and engagement with financing institutions and investors.  

The initiative will support governments and regional partners through strategic and technical assistance, policy alignment, institutional coordination, project preparation, partnership development, and connections with financing institutions and investors.  

By linking regional policy objectives with investment readiness, the initiative seeks to help countries move from fragmented approaches toward integrated cross-border systems that can attract and mobilize capital at scale. 

Participants expressed support for advancing the initiative through a structured post-UNGA process focused on identifying priority corridors, developing investable project pipelines, and establishing implementation pathways capable of mobilizing financing and delivering tangible economic and development outcomes. 

The next phase is expected to include stakeholder consultations, identification of priority workstreams and investment opportunities, development of implementation pathways, and preparation of bankable regional proposals. Over the coming years, the initiative aims to establish a sustained platform for regional cooperation while building a growing pipeline of structured, investment-ready cross-border opportunities across energy, trade, connectivity, and related sectors. 

Media Contacts 

Gulf Cooperation Council Secretariat | Khalaf Alduraei | +965 66662383 

UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States | Ahmed Bazzoum | Communications Analyst | ahmed.bazzoum@undp.org  

The GCC is the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, a regional organization comprising six member states: the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar, and the State of Kuwait. Established in 1981, the GCC promotes coordination, integration, and cooperation among its member states, strengthens ties between their peoples, advances joint Gulf action, supports Arab and Islamic causes, and contributes to regional and international peace, security, development, and prosperity. Learn more at gcc-sg.org or follow @GCCSG. 

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries and territories, we help nations build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow @UNDP